scholarly journals Peptidoglycan editing provides immunity to Acinetobacter baumannii during bacterial warfare

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (30) ◽  
pp. eabb5614 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen-Hung Le ◽  
Katharina Peters ◽  
Akbar Espaillat ◽  
Jessica R. Sheldon ◽  
Joe Gray ◽  
...  

Peptidoglycan (PG) is essential in most bacteria. Thus, it is often targeted by various assaults, including interbacterial attacks via the type VI secretion system (T6SS). Here, we report that the Gram-negative bacterium Acinetobacter baumannii strain ATCC 17978 produces, secretes, and incorporates the noncanonical d-amino acid d-lysine into its PG during stationary phase. We show that PG editing increases the competitiveness of A. baumannii during bacterial warfare by providing immunity against peptidoglycan-targeting T6SS effectors from various bacterial competitors. In contrast, we found that d-Lys production is detrimental to pathogenesis due, at least in part, to the activity of the human enzyme d-amino acid oxidase (DAO), which degrades d-Lys producing H2O2 toxic to bacteria. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that the last common ancestor of A. baumannii had the ability to produce d-Lys. However, this trait was independently lost multiple times, likely reflecting the evolution of A. baumannii as a human pathogen.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen-Hung Le ◽  
Katharina Peters ◽  
Akbar Espaillat ◽  
Jessica R. Sheldon ◽  
Joe Gray ◽  
...  

AbstractPeptidoglycan (PG) is essential in most bacteria. Thus, it is often targeted by various assaults, including the host immune response, antibiotic treatment and interbacterial attacks via the type VI secretion system (T6SS). Here, we report that the Gram-negative bacterium Acinetobacter baumannii strain ATCC 17978 produces, secretes and incorporates the non-canonical D-amino acid D-Lysine into its PG during stationary phase. We show that PG editing increases the competitiveness of A. baumannii during bacterial warfare by providing immunity against peptidoglycan-targeting T6SS effectors from various bacterial competitors. We propose that PG editing has evolved as an effective strategy for bacteria to overcome T6SS attacks. In contrast, we found that D-Lys production is detrimental to pathogenesis due, at least in part, to the activity of the human enzyme D-amino acid oxidase (DAO), which degrades D-Lys producing H2O2 toxic to bacteria. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that the last common ancestor of A. baumannii possessed the ability to produce D-Lys. However, this trait was independently lost multiple times, likely reflecting the evolution of A. baumannii as a human pathogen.One sentence summaryAcinetobacter baumannii attains immunity against nonkin competitors during T6SS warfare by incorporating D-Lysine into its peptidoglycan.


1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (06) ◽  
pp. 0993-0997
Author(s):  
Zhao-Yan Li ◽  
Xiao-Wei Wu ◽  
Tie-Fu Yu ◽  
Eric C-Y Lian

SummaryBy means of CM-Sephadex C-25, DEAE-Sephadex A-50, Sephadex G-200, and Sephadex G-75 chromatographies, a lupus anticoagulant like protein (LALP) from Agkistrodon halys brevicaudus was purified. On SDS-PAGE, the purified LALP had a molecular weight of 25,500 daltons under non-reducing condition and 15,000 daltons under reducing condition. The isoelectric point was pH 5.6. Its N terminal amino acid sequencing revealed a mixture of 2 sequences: DCP(P/S)(D/G)WSSYEGH(C/R)Q(Q/K). It was devoid of phospho-lipaseA, fibrino(geno)lytic, 5′-nucleotidase, L-amino acid oxidase, phosphomonoesterase, phosphodiesterase and thrombin-like activities, which were found in crude venom. In the presence of LALP, PT, aPTT, and dRVVT of human plasma were markedly prolonged and its effects were concentration-dependent but time-independent. The inhibitory effect of LALP on the plasma clotting time was enhanced by decreasing phospholipid concentration in TTI test. The individual clotting factor activity was not affected by LALP when higher dilutions of LALP-plasma mixture were used for assay. Russell’s viper venom time was shortened when high phospholipid confirmatory reagent was used. Therefore, the protein has lupus anticoagulant property.


1982 ◽  
Vol 48 (03) ◽  
pp. 277-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Nathan ◽  
A Dvilansky ◽  
T Yirmiyahu ◽  
M Aharon ◽  
A Livne

SummaryEchis colorata bites cause impairment of platelet aggregation and hemostatic disorders. The mechanism by which the snake venom inhibits platelet aggregation was studied. Upon fractionation, aggregation impairment activity and L-amino acid oxidase activity were similarly separated from the crude venom, unlike other venom enzymes. Preparations of L-amino acid oxidase from E.colorata and from Crotalus adamanteus replaced effectively the crude E.colorata venom in impairment of platelet aggregation. Furthermore, different treatments known to inhibit L-amino acid oxidase reduced in parallel the oxidase activity and the impairment potency of both the venom and the enzyme preparation. H2O2 mimicked characteristically the impairment effects of L-amino acid oxidase and the venom. Catalase completely abolished the impairment effects of the enzyme and the venom. It is concluded that hydrogen peroxide formed by the venom L-amino acid oxidase plays a role in affecting platelet aggregation and thus could contribute to the extended bleeding typical to persons bitten by E.colorata.


Author(s):  
Hong Wei ◽  
Zuyue Chen ◽  
Ari Koivisto ◽  
Antti Pertovaara

Abstract Background Earlier studies show that endogenous sphingolipids can induce pain hypersensitivity, activation of spinal astrocytes, release of proinflammatory cytokines and activation of TRPM3 channel. Here we studied whether the development of pain hypersensitivity induced by sphingolipids in the spinal cord can be prevented by pharmacological inhibition of potential downstream mechanisms that we hypothesized to include TRPM3, σ1 and NMDA receptors, gap junctions and D-amino acid oxidase. Methods Experiments were performed in adult male rats with a chronic intrathecal catheter for spinal drug administrations. Mechanical nociception was assessed with monofilaments and heat nociception with radiant heat. N,N-dimethylsphingosine (DMS) was administered to induce pain hypersensitivity. Ononetin, isosakuranetin, naringenin (TRPM3 antagonists), BD-1047 (σ1 receptor antagonist), carbenoxolone (a gap junction decoupler), MK-801 (NMDA receptor antagonist) and AS-057278 (inhibitor of D-amino acid oxidase, DAAO) were used to prevent the DMS-induced hypersensitivity, and pregnenolone sulphate (TRPM3 agonist) to recapitulate hypersensitivity. Results DMS alone produced within 15 min a dose-related mechanical hypersensitivity that lasted at least 24 h, without effect on heat nociception. Preemptive treatments with ononetin, isosakuranetin, naringenin, BD-1047, carbenoxolone, MK-801 or AS-057278 attenuated the development of the DMS-induced hypersensitivity, but had no effects when administered alone. Pregnenolone sulphate (TRPM3 agonist) alone induced a dose-related mechanical hypersensitivity that was prevented by ononetin, isosakuranetin and naringenin. Conclusions Among spinal pronociceptive mechanisms activated by DMS are TRPM3, gap junction coupling, the σ1 and NMDA receptors, and DAAO.


1983 ◽  
Vol 258 (6) ◽  
pp. 3799-3802
Author(s):  
K Yagi ◽  
F Tanaka ◽  
N Nakashima ◽  
K Yoshihara

1973 ◽  
Vol 248 (6) ◽  
pp. 1946-1955 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher T. Walsh ◽  
Elizabeth Krodel ◽  
Vincent Massey ◽  
Robert H. Abeles

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